PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Armos Saffedine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan comes to the cage accompanied by I'd Love to Knock the Hell out of You by Hank Williams, Jr. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ryan
vs
Saffedine

183 cm
32
159 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

195 cm
31
282 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Armos Saffedine!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ryan shoots in and bounces Saffedine off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ryan tries to free his leg and advance position but Saffedine is retaining full guard.
Ryan wants to control from the top but Saffedine keeps moving.

Ryan stands up from Saffedine's guard - Ryan perhaps looking for a knockout.

Ryan drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saffedine keeps working.
Saffedine is trying to control Ryan's posture but Ryan avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saffedine manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ryan is trying to control the action in half guard but Saffedine is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Saffedine trying to control here.

Ryan stands up and beckons Saffedine to join him on the feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Ryan.
Saffedine takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

It looks like Armos Saffedine has been cut.
Saffedine walks into a stiff left hand from Ryan.
Ryan fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Saffedine on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryan connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Saffedine slips under a jab.
Ryan scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Ryan scores with a takedown into Saffedine's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saffedine keeping moving, preventing Ryan from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Saffedine is on top in guard.

Ryan wants to stand and escape but Saffedine is having none of it.
Saffedine trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saffedine trying to control the position from guard on top but Ryan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ryan is looking to stand up but Saffedine isn't so interested in that idea.
Ryan trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Saffedine tries to sprawl but Ryan drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Ryan is trying to control. Saffedine wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Ryan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saffedine doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ryan.

Ryan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ryan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saffedine doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ryan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Ryan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Armos Saffedine's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ryan lands a jab.
Saffedine misses with a wild body shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ryan crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Saffedine - the referee stops the clock and Ryan gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Saffedine. Ryan manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Saffedine throws a series of punches but Ryan avoids them all with ease.
Saffedine ducks right into an uppercut from Ryan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Ryan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Armos Saffedine is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ryan plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That has opened up Armos Saffedine's cut even more.
Ryan throws a head kick that misses
and Ryan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ryan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saffedine can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan tests Saffedine's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Saffedine throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saffedine walks into a stiff left hand from Ryan.
Ryan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Ryan changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Saffedine looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Ryan decides to stand up, so the ref orders Saffedine to his feet.
Ryan lands a jab to the head.

Ryan looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ryan trying to control the action but Saffedine is working from the bottom.
Ryan frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saffedine working to try and regain half guard.
BOOM! Ryan connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Ryan with shots to the head and body - Saffedine looks very uncomfortable down there.

Ryan get's back to his feet.

Ryan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saffedine tries to get to full guard but Ryan has control of the leg.
Ryan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saffedine keeps working.
Ryan prevents Saffedine from improving his position.
Ryan seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Ryan works his way into side control.
Ryan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saffedine keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saffedine tries to improve position but can't.
Ryan trying to control the position but Saffedine is working away.

Ryan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Saffedine has escaped the position, nice work there.

Ryan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Saffedine, who protects the arm well.

Ryan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Saffedine has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Ryan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Armos Saffedine's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A leg kick checked by Saffedine.
Saffedine throws a head kick that misses.
Saffedine throws out a loose jab but Ryan uses good head movement to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Ryan misses the target.
Saffedine walks into a jab.

Ryan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Saffedine trying to strike off his back.
Ryan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saffedine swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ryan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ryan trying to control but Saffedine is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saffedine looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ryan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saffedine swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saffedine keeping moving, preventing Ryan from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ryan misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ryan misses with a straight right.
Ryan throws a looping overhand right but Saffedine ducks down to avoid it.
Saffedine throws a counter combo.

Saffedine gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ryan to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ryan tries to free his leg and advance position but Saffedine is retaining full guard.
Ryan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ryan throws a big elbow that misses.
Saffedine wants to sweep but no luck.

Ryan gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ryan scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ryan winds up and cracks Saffedine with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ryan is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saffedine regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've been informed that Saffedine has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Ryan preventing the sweep.
Ryan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ryan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ryan trying to control but Saffedine is working from the bottom.
Saffedine looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ryan trying to control but Saffedine is working from the bottom.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Ryan here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Saffedine gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ryan sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saffedine has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Ryan clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Armos Saffedine's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ryan checks a leg kick nicely.
Daniel Ryan is winning the standup battle so far.
Saffedine is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ryan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Saffedine blocks a head kick by Ryan.

Ryan fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Saffedine to the ground. Ryan is now in Saffedine's guard.
Ryan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Saffedine's guard.
Saffedine is pulling down on Ryan's head. It's preventing any offense from Ryan, at least for the moment.
Ryan trying to control the position from guard on top but Saffedine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryan stays in close to Saffedine's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan wants to pass the guard but Saffedine is keeping the position.
Ryan trying to control but Saffedine is working from the bottom.
Saffedine looking for a sweep. Not yet Saffedine, not yet.
Saffedine keeping full guard, as Ryan tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ryan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Saffedine to the mat! Saffedine manages to get full guard.
Ryan won't allow Saffedine to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryan trying to control but Saffedine is working from the bottom.
Ryan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ryan trying to control but Saffedine is working from the bottom.
Ryan sitting in guard here, content to control.

Saffedine had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ryan defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ryan stands up from Saffedine's guard - Ryan perhaps looking for a knockout.

Ryan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ryan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saffedine is keeping the position for now.
Ryan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Saffedine is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan wants to control from the top but Saffedine keeps moving.
Saffedine trying to control the position.
Saffedine throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ryan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Saffedine dives on top into guard.

Ryan is looking to stand up but Saffedine isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Ryan had his way with Armos Saffedine in that round.
The cut man is working on Armos Saffedine's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Saffedine pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ryan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Ryan shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ryan wants to stand up but Saffedine manages to regain full guard.
Saffedine looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ryan is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saffedine had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ryan defends it easily.
Ryan passes into half guard.
Saffedine tries to get to full guard but Ryan has control of the leg.

Ryan is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Saffedine is just riding it out for now. Ryan eventually gives up the hold.

Ryan decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Saffedine gets caught napping as Ryan dives in and scores a takedown. Saffedine manages to retain guard.
Ryan looking to sit in guard and control but Saffedine gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Saffedine looking to pass the guard.
Saffedine passes Ryan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryan is trying to stand.
Saffedine wants to take a breather but Ryan is having none of it.
Ryan pushes Saffedine off looking to stand but Saffedine dives back in and keeps control.
Daniel Ryan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saffedine thows a huge punch but Ryan dodges it nicely.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ryan looks to land a left hand but Saffedine moved out of range nicely.
Saffedine tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Ryan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Saffedine's guard.
Ryan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Saffedine controls Ryan momentarily but Ryan frees himself.
Daniel Ryan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ryan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Saffedine is trying to escape the position but Ryan is controlling the position.
Armos Saffedine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saffedine tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Ryan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ryan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Ryan!
Daniel Ryan was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.